Secrets of Prayer – Part 5: Spiritual Meanings That Transform Your Salah
Prayer in Islam is not just physical movements; it is a journey of the heart. Understanding its inner meanings can completely change how you experience your salah and help you feel closer to Allah. Here is a clear and simple explanation of the spiritual secrets behind key parts of prayer.
Beginning With Praise and the Opening Supplication
Prayer starts with praising Allah and sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ. One of the first supplications said is:
“Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdik…”
This remembrance is like a gateway into prayer. It moves a person from a state of heedlessness into a state of awareness and presence. Heedlessness is described as a veil between the servant and Allah, and remembrance lifts that veil.
The Etiquette of Standing Before the King of Kings
Entering prayer is like entering the presence of a great king. No one approaches a king by immediately asking for something. Instead, they begin with praise and respect.
This is exactly what happens in Surah Al-Fatiha:
• It begins with praise: “All praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds…”
• Then comes the request: “Guide us to the straight path.”
From this we learn two beautiful secrets of the opening supplication:
- It removes us from heedlessness.
- It teaches us proper manners with Allah by praising Him before asking.
It is also recommended to vary the opening supplications reported from the Prophet ﷺ. Changing them helps break routine and renews focus so the heart stays attentive.
The Dhikr After Wudu and Its Inner Meaning
After finishing wudu, Muslims say:
“Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah…”
Just as wudu cleans the body outwardly, this remembrance purifies the inner self from hidden shirk, innovations, and sins. So purification is both external and internal.
Seeking Refuge Before Recitation
Before reciting Qur’an in prayer, we say:
“I seek refuge in Allah from Satan.”
Why is this so important? Because Satan works hardest to distract a person during prayer. Prayer is the most honorable position a servant can be in, so it is the moment the enemy tries most to interfere.
His strategy happens in stages:
- First, he tries to stop a person from praying at all — distracting both body and heart.
- If he cannot stop the body, he tries to distract the heart with whispers so the person feels nothing in prayer.
Seeking refuge carries two powerful meanings:
• Awareness that there is a real spiritual battle happening.
• Declaring complete dependence on Allah and admitting we have no power to defeat this enemy without Him.
A Powerful Parable About Ignoring Satan
Scholars explained this with a vivid example: Satan is like a sheepdog attacking sheep. If a sheep fights the dog alone, it will lose. But if it calls the shepherd, the shepherd drives the dog away. Likewise, instead of fighting whispers alone, the servant turns to Allah for protection.
Barriers That Prevent Deep Reflection in Qur’an
Seeking refuge is one key to understanding Qur’an, but there are other veils that must also be removed, such as:
• Not knowing the meanings of words.
• Excessive socializing and distraction.
• Overeating, which hardens the heart and weakens spiritual sensitivity.
Removing these barriers helps the heart truly reflect on Allah’s words.
In summary
Prayer becomes meaningful when the heart is present, the tongue remembers, and the servant understands what he or she is saying. Every phrase in salah has a purpose — to bring you closer to Allah and protect you from distraction.
